Safety razor



July w, 1951 H. F. SHANNON 2,560,004'

SAFETY RAZOR F1144 Ju1y 14, 1947 4 sheeS-sheet 1 24 a ig lNvENToR Hau/:41. f' @MNA/0M ATTORN EY July 10, 1951 H. F. SHANNON 2,560,004

SAFETY RAZOR Filed July 14, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fl nl.

IN VEN TOR. 4Hom/2da FSHH/v/vo/y,

ATTORNEY July 10, 1951 I H. F. SHANNON 2,560,004

SAFETY RAZOR Filed July 14, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 2 if??? fi?, i

T T OHNE Y July 10, 1951 H. F. SHANNON SAFETY RAZOR Filed July 14, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 JNVENTOR.

o BY f/ waz. F/#f/wa/v Mm JM TTORNE'Y Patented July 10, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 11 Claims.

This invention relates to safety razors of the type in which a flexible and resilient blade is clamped for shaving by coacting members which not only provide the support for the blade but also shape the same.

It is desirable that the operations of inserting and removing a safety razor blade are such that they may be quickly carried out, and it is a primary object of this invention to provide a safety razor having coacting guard and clamping members whereby such operations may be effected conveniently and rapidly.

A further object of the invention is to provide a safety razor of 'the aforementioned type comprising a pair of complemental guard and clamping members, each of said guard and clamping members being connected to a handle element and the two handle elements being pivotally connected for oscillatory movement.

Another object of the invention is to provide a safety razor comprising a pair of complementary guard members, each of said guard members being provided with a series of curved ngers coacting with the complemental guard member to clamp the razor blade in place, and the two series of said curved ngers coacting with each other to partially eject the blade from the razor. A further object of the invention is to provide a safety razor in which the blade is given an outwardly concave curvature transversely thereof. Such structure, in cooperation with proper guard means, gives to my safety razor the cutting advantages of the ordinary straight razor, with respect to the curvature of the blade, while eliminating the disadvantages of the straight razor, particularly with respect to the safety thereof.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a safety razor in which the blade is given a relatively slight outwardly convex curvature lon gitudinally thereof along each cutting edge.

Another object of the invention is to angularly locate the blade supporting plates relative to the handle of the razor, whereby both the lower and upper edges of the razor blade approach all surfaces that are to be shaved very efficiently, and further, whereby the razor shaves efficiently and with ease of manipulation on the up-stroke.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings forming a part of the disclosure, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a safety razor constructed according to -my invention, illustrating the blade in clamped position and the razor ready for use;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of Fig.1;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of Fig. 1, a portion of the blade being broken away and parts being shown in section to illustrate details of the construction;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 4--4 of Fig.,3, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, but illustrating the guard and clamping members, and the handles in an intermediate position;

Fig. 6 is also a view similar to Fig. 4 but illustrating the guard and clamping members, and the handles in blade ejecting (or receiving) position;

Fig. 7 is a bottom view of the handles illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 in closed position, parts being broken away and parts being shown in section, and illustrating in plan View the means locking the handles in closed position;

Fig. 8 is a sectional View taken along the line 8 8 of Fig. 4 looking in the direction of the arrows, and illustrating the means for` pivotally connecting the two handle elements;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. l0v is a fragmentary, sectional View of a modied form of guard member;

Fig. '1l is a side elevational view of a modified form of safety razor constructed according to my invention, illustrating the blade in clamped position and the razor ready for use;

Fig. 12 is a front elevational view of Fig. 1l;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary front elevational View similar to Fig. l2, with the razor blade removed;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line lli-I4 of Fig. l2 looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Fig. l5 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 14, but showing the handle elements in blade ejecting (or receiving) position.

Referring in detail to Figs. 1 to 9 of the drawings, it will be seen that my safety razor consists of a handle, generally indicated by reference numeral l, comprising two handle elements 2 and 3 pivotally connected together adjacent one end of each thereof by means such as a rivet 4.

The handle elements 2 and 3 are identical in structure and hence a description of one will suice for the other. Preferably the handle ele-A ments are formed of pressed metal, although other material such as plastic may be used if desired, and referring to the element 2, which is most clearly illustrated, it will be seen that the pivot end 5 of this element is substantially circular in side elevation and formed with an outwardly and inwardly directed edge flange portion which also extends downwardly along the sides of the element a short distance until it gradually disappears, and a boss 1 spaced from the flange 6 by a groove 8. The rivet 4 extends through a suitable opening 9 in the boss 1 to pivotally connect the handle elements, and preferably the rivet 4 also extends through a spacing collar lil positioned between the elements 2 and 3 as illustrated in Fig. 8. Reinforcing ribs H preferably extend axially along each handle element from the boss 'l to further rigidity the structure of the element.

The shape of the handle element 2 gradually changes and merges into a shape of semi-circular cross-section of increasing radius as illustrated more particularly in Figs. 1, 2 and '7.

The lower ends of the handle elements 2 and 3 are closed by curved ends l2 and I3, respectively, each having a radius extending to the axis of the rivet 4. The end l2 is provided with a pair of spaced outwardly directed projections I4 adapted to receive between them a spring bar i5 suitably secured as by welding to the end I3, to lock the handle elements 2 and 3 in closed position.

Stop members IB and l1 are welded or otherwise suitably secured to the flange 6 at the end 5 of the handle elements 2 and 3, respectively. The stops I6 and I1 are so positioned as to properly limit the opening'movement of the handle elements by engaging the sides thereof as illustrated in Fig. 6.

Supporting arms I8 and I are also suitably connected to the flange 6 at the end 5 of the handle elements 2 and 3, respectively, by means of brackets and 2| which may be welded or otherwise suitably secured to the flanges S and the respective arms.

The arms I8 and I9 are outwardly and transversely concave, extend in a direction parallel to `the axis of the rivet 4, are positioned to one side of the axis of the respective handle elements, and each has suitably secured thereto and supports one of a pair of complemental guard and clamping members indicated generally by the reference numerals 22 and 23.

Y The said complemental guard and clamping members 22 and 23 comprise complemental, substantially rectangular, outwardly and transversely concave blade supporting guard plates 24 and 25, respectively.

The plates 2f?. and 25 have end portions 25, reduced in width, each provided with an outwardly and inwardly turned lug 21 which engages and positions one of the reduced end portions of the usual type of double-edge safety razor blade 23. The outer side edge portions 29 of the plates 24 and 25 are bent rearwardly and outwardly to provide guard portions 2B for the cutting edges of the razor blade 28. As illustrated in a somewhat exaggerated manner in Fig. 2, the guard portions 23' are curved longitudinally thereof, slightly convex outwardly to so curve the cutting edges of the blade and thus provide better cutting action and also to aid in preventing the corners of the blade from cutting the user. A plurality or series of spaced slots 30 is provided in each of the guard portions 2S to permit access of hair to the cutting edges of the blade. The slots 30 preferably do not extend entirely through the edges 29 and hence the ribs 3l between adjacent slots 30 are rigidly supported.

. The inner side edge portion of the plate 24 is lprovided with three spaced clamping fingers 32 adapted to extend through the usual central opening or openings 33 provided in the blade 28.

The inner side edge portion of the plate 25 is also provided with three similar, spaced clamping fingers 3d adapted to extend through the openings 33, but the fingers 32 and 34 are staggered relatively to each other so that they are positioned juxtaposed in pairs.

`The base portions 35 and 36 of the fingers 32 and 34, respectively, curve gradually upwardly and the free ends 31 and 38 thereof are hooked or curved inwardly to clamp the blade 28 against the plates 25 and 24, respectively, in closed or aligned position of the handle elements 2 and 3. Slots 39 are provided in the plate 24 adjacent the fingers 32 to receive the base portions 36 of the fingers 34, and slots 4Q are provided in the plate 25 adjacent the fingers 34 to receive the base portions 35 of the lingers 32, in closed position.

In closed position, the inner side edges of the plates 24 and 25 abut to form a continuous concave surface and hence the blade 28, in clamped position, is given a generally outwardly concave curvature transversely thereof, and thus each longitudinal half of the blade 28 has a curvature similar to the curvature of the ordinary straight razor. The guard portions 29 give the cutting edges of the blade 28 a slightly outwardly con- -1 vex curvature, as stated above, and the slots 3'0 and ribs 3l are so dimensioned as to provide ready access of hair to the cutting edges of the blade. From the foregoing it will be obvious that I have provided a safety razor having the cutting advantages of the ordinary straight razor without the attendant disadvantages, particularly with respect to the safety thereof.

Preferably, the lengths of the plates 24 and 25 are equal and slightly less than the length of the blade 28, and the combined width thereof` is such as to permit the cutting edges to extend to, but not in contact with, the ribs 29 at the point of bending thereof. The former permits ready removal of a blade by the lingers, should it not be ejected properly in the manner to be later described, for any reason, such as the blade breaking in half longitudinally thereof, and the latter prevents dulling of the cutting edges of the blade.

To insert the blade 28, the handle elements 2 and 3 are opened to the position illustrated in Fig. 6, and, with the members 22 and 23 facing upwardly, the blade is positioned on the fingers 32 and 34 by means of the openings 33. The handle elements 2 and 3 are then moved toward closed position, the various parts of the razor moving as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 5, and in so moving, the blade slides down to the position illustrated in Fig. 5, and the lugs 21 adjacent each end of the plates 24 and 25 start to move upwardly and inwardly over the reduced end portions of the blade. Upon further and final closing movement of the handle elements, the lugs 21 move inwardly over the reduced end portions of the blade 28, the guard portions 29 move inwardly over the cutting edges of the blade and the ends 31 and 38 of the fingers 32 and 34 move inwardly and downwardly to engage the blade and press or clamp it to the plates 25 and 24, respectively, the lugs 21 engaging, positioning, and holding theblade at each corner of the reduced end portions thereof, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4. In this position, the blade assumes the shape previously described, the handle elements are locked in closed position by the means |4 and |5, and the razor is ready for use.

To remove the blade 28, the razor is held with the members 22 and 23 facing upwardly and the handle elements 2 and 3 are moved towards open position, the various parts of the razor moving as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 6. In so moving, the fingers 32 and 34 and the lugs 21 disengage the blade, and the guard portions 29 and the lugs 21 move outwardly and downwardly away from the blade.

Near the end of the opening movement of the handle elements 2 and 3, the gradually curved base portions 35 and 3S of the fingers 32 and 34 engage the edges of the openings 33 of the blade 28 and cam or eject the same upwardly as indicated by the vertical arrows in Fig. 6, to the positionillustrated in this figure. The blade 2B may then be readily lifted or removed from the razor.

In the modified form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 10, the blade supporting guard plates, only one of which is shown and indicated by reference numeral 24', are each provided with an outwardly and longitudinally extending ridge 4|. As illustrated in Fig. 10, the ridge -4 is positioned just beyond the points or imaginary line of contact of the ends 38 of the fingers 34 with the blade 28. The ridge(s) 4| aid the fingers 34 (and 32) in clamping the blade 28 to the supporting guard plates and also assist in imparting the outwardly concave curvature to the blade 28.

The razor illustrated in Figs. 11 to l5 of the drawings has incorporated therein a modified form of handle, a. modified form of guard, and the angular relationship between the guard plates and the handle differs from that in the razor illustrated in Figs. 1 to 9. Obviously, any one or more of these modif-led features may be incorporated in the rst disclosed form of the invention, if desired.

Referring in detail to Figs. 11 to 15 of the drawings, it will be seen that this form of my safety razor consists of a handle, generally indicated by reference numeral lill, comprising two handle 1"* elements I B2 and |03 pivotally connected together adjacent one end thereof vby means such as a rivet |04.

Preferably the handle elements |82 and |33 are formed of pressed metal, although other material may be used if desired. The pivot end |05 of the element |62 is substantially circular in side elevation, the pivot end of the element |03 being similarly constructed, and the rivet |04 extends through suitable openings in those cirl cular end portions to pivotally connect the handle elements.

The handle element |32 is slightly longer than the handle element |03, and a plastic extension handle element |65 is connected to the free end thereof. As illustrated in Fig. 11, the element |35 is preferably given a slight curvature in a rearward direction, and the element |03 is provided with a forwardly offset portion |01 on its forward edge for a purpose to be presently described.

The forward edge of the handle element |03 is provided with a projection |38 which extends forwardly of the offset portion |01 of the element |32 when the handles are in closed position, and the rearward edge of the element |33 has a spring member H5 projecting therefrom. The spring H5 extends outwardly from, and then forwardly of, the element ID3, to receive the element |02 therebetween, and in closed position, the forward 6 end of the spring, which projects slightly inwardly, snaps over the offset portion |01 of the element |02 to maintain the elements |02 and |113 locked in closed position. The projection |58 is engaged by the thumb of the user to open the handle elements.

Supporting arms ||3 and ||9 are provided at the pivot ends of the handle elements |02 and |93, respectively, and a stop element ||6 is-secured to the forward edge of the arm ||9 to limit the opening movement of the handle elements, said stop engaging the forward edge of theelement |02 in open position as illustrated in Fig. 15.

The arms I8 and |9 have outwardly concave ends |29 and l2 respectively, and each has suitably secured thereto, as by welding, one of a pair of vcomplemental guard and clamping members indicated generally by reference numerals |22 and |23.

lThe complemental guard and clamping members |22 and |23 comprise complemental, substantially rectangular, outwardly and transversely concave blade supporting guard plates |24 and |25, respectively.

The plates 23 and |25 have recessed end portions |23 (Fig. 13), and the outer side edge portions |29 thereof are provided with a U-shaped slit |3| (Fig. 13), and the metal outside this slit is then bent downwardly, and thence rearwardly and inwardly. There is thus provided adjacent each end of each plate |24 and |25 at each outer corner thereof, a lug |21 which engages the reduced end portion of the blade |28 to properly position the same in the razor. There is thus also provided a guard portion |29 for the cutting edges of the blade |23I at the kouter edge of each plate |24 and |25. An elongated slot or opening |33 is provided in each of the guard portionsto permit access of hair to the cutting edges of the blade and also to provide for ready removal of shaved hair and lather from the cutting edges of the blade. The slots |33 preferably have a length just slightly less than the length of the cutting edge of the blade, so that each corner of each cutting edge of the blade is covered and prevented from contacting the skin of the user. The inner edge of each slot |38 is dened by a bar 36 which is raised above the lugs |21 slightly to provide a space above the outer edges of' the plates |24 and |25 through which the outer edge portions of the blade |23 extend into the slots |311. The bars |35 rather closely engage the blade |28 and function to reduce vibration or chatter at each cutting edge of the blade.

The inner side edge portion of the plate |24 is provided in this instance with two spaced clamping fingers |32 adapted to extend through the usual central opening or openings |33 provided in the blade |23.

The inner side edge portion of the plate is also. provided with two similar, spaced clampe ing fingers adapted to extend through the openings |33, but the lingers |32 and |34 are staggered relatively to each other so that they are positioned juxtaposed in pairs.

rIhe base portions |35 and |33 of the lingers |32 and |313, respectively, curve gradually upwardly and the free ends |31 and |38 thereof are hooked or curved inwardly to clamp the blade |28 .against the plates |25 and |23, respectively, in closed or aligned position of the handle elements |02 and |33. Slots |39 are provided in the plate |23 adjacent the fingers |32 to receive the base portions |36 of the fingers |33, and slots MU are provided in the plate |25 adjacent the 7 fingers 134 to receive the base portions 135 of the lingers 132, in closed position.

In closed position, the inner side edges of the plates 124 and 125 abut to form a continuous concave surface and hence the blade 128, in clamped position, is given a generally outwardly concave curvature transversely thereof, and thus each longitudinal half of the blade 128 has a curvature similar to the curvature of the ordinary straight razor.

Referring to Fig. 14, it will be noted that the angular relationship between the guard plates 124 and 125, and the axis of the handle 101 or the common axis of the handle elements 1112 and 103, differs from the corresponding angular relationship of the first form of the invention.

The angle A illustrated on Fig. 14 represents the interior angle between the axis of the handle 1111 or the common axis of the elements 1132 and 103, and a plane passing through the outer side edge portions of the guard plates 124 and 125. The angle A is an acute angle, preferably of approximately 45, although it may vary throughout a substantal range, for example, from 30 to 60. (In the first form of the invention, the angle corresponding to the angle A is 90.)

By this acute angular relationship between the guard plate means 124 and 125 and the handle 111|, both the lower and upper edges of the razor blade approach all surfaces that are to be shaved in a very efficient manner. As viewed in Figs. 11 to 15, the lower cutting edge is particularly adapted for shaving with a downward or horizontal stroke, and the upper cutting edge is particularly adapted for shaving with an upward stroke, with ease of manipulation for all strokes, particularly with respect to the upward shaving of the neck, under the chin and about the nose.

To insert the blade |28, the handle elements are opened to the position illustrated in Fig. 15, and, with the members 122 and 123 facing upwardly, the blade is positioned on the ngers 132 and |34 by means of the opening 133. The handle element 1113 is then moved toward closed position, and in so moving the blade slides downwardly and the guards |29 move upwardly and inwardly over the cutting edges of the blade, the lugs 12'1' properly positioning the blade. Upon further and final closing movement, the ends 131 and 138 of the fingers |32 and 134 move inwardly and downwardly to engage the blade and press or clamp it to the plates 125 and 1211, respectively, the lugs 12'1 iinally and properly positioning the blade. In this position, as illustrated in Figs. l1, 12 and lll the blade assumes the concave shape previously described, the handle elements are locked by the means 101 and 1 15, and the razor is ready for use.

To remove the blade 123, the razor is held with the blade facing upwardly, and the handle elements IGZ and K13 are moved relatively to the position illustrated in Fig. l5. In so moving, the iingers 132 and |34 disengage the blade, and the guard portions 129 move outwardly and downwardly away from the blade. Near the end of the opening movement of the handle elements, the base portions 135 and 135 of the lingers 132 and 1311 engage the edges of the openings 133 of the blade 123 and cam or eject the same upwardly as previously described in connection with the first form of the invention. The blade 12? can then be readily lifted or removed frorn the razor.

Preferably the maximum length of each of the plates 124 and 125 is equal to the maximum length of the razor blade 128, and the recessed portions 126 of the said plates thus provide for ready removal of a blade by the fingers, should it not be ejected properly in the manner just described, for any reason, such as the blade breaking in half longitudinally thereof.

From the foregoing it will be obvious that in addition to providing a safety razor having the advantages of, and some in addition to, those of a straight edge razor, without the attendant disadvantages thereof, I have provided a safety razor in which the operations of inserting and removing the blade are such that they may be conventiently, simply and rapidly effected, each such operation requiring but a single oscillatory or scissors-like movement of the handle elements 2 and 3, or 1132 and 103.

While the invention is susceptible of various modications and alternative constructions, I have shown in the drawings and have herein described in detail the preferred embodiments, but it is to be understood that I do not thereby intend to limit the invention to the specific forms disclosed, but intend to cover all modifications and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

This application is a continuation-impart of my application Serial No. 732,883, now abandoned, filed March 6, 1947.

I claim:

l. In a safety razor, a pair of complemental guard plates each having inner and outer side edge portions, each of said plates having a transverse outwardly concave surface and a guard at the outer side edge portion thereof, each of said guards having an outwardly convex curvature longitudinally thereof, a plurality of clamping iingers projecting from the inner edge portion of each of said plates, each of said fingers being curved outwardly and then inwardly, blade positioning means on each of said plates, a pair of handle elements, means pivotally connecting said handle elements, and means connecting one of said handle elements to one of said plates and the other of said handle elements to the other of said plates.

2. In a safety razor, a pair of complemental guard plates each having inner and outer side edge portions, each of said plates having a transverse outwardly concave surface and a guard at the outer side edge portion thereof, a plurality of clamping lingers projecting from the inner edge portion of each of said plates, each of said lingers being curved outwardly and then inwardly, blade positioning means on each of said plates, a pair of handle elements, means pivotally connecting said handle elements, and means connecting one of said handle elements to one of said plates and the other of said handle elements to the other of said plates.

3. In a safety razor, a pair of complemental guard plates each having inner and outer side edge portions, each of said plates having a transverse outwardly concave surface, a plurality of clamping lingers for clamping a razor blade to the concave surfaces of said plates projecting from the inner edge portion of each of said plates,

each of said fingers being curved outwardly and one of said plates and the other of said handle elements to the other of said plates.

4. In a safety razor, a pair of complemental guard plates each having inner and outer side edge portions, clamping means projecting from the inner edge portion of each of said plates, blade positioning means on each of said plates, an outwardly and longitudinally extending ridge in each of said guard plates coacting with said clamping means to clamp a razor blade to said guard plates and impart a concave curvature thereto, a pair of pivoted handle elements, and means connecting one of said handle elements to one of said plates and the other of said handle elements to the other of said plates.

5. In a safety razor, a pair of complemental guard plates each having inner and outer side edge portions, each of said plates having a transverse outwardly concave surface and a guard at the outer side edge portion thereof, each o1" said guards having an outwardly convex curvature longitudinally thereof, clamping means projecting from the inner edge portion of each of said plates, blade positioning means on each of said plates, a pair of pivoted handle elements, and means connecting one of said handle elements to one of said plates and the other of said handle elements to the other of said plates.

6. In a safety razor, a pair of complemental guard plates each having inner and outer side edge portions, each of said plates having a transverse outwardly concave surface and a guard at the outer side edge portion therof, clamping means projecting from the inner edge portion of each of said plates, blade positioning means on each of said plates, a pair of handle elements, means pivotally connecting said` handle elements, and means connecting one of said handle elements to one of said plates and the other of said handle elements to the other of said plates.

7. In a safety razor, a pair of complemental guard plates each having inner and outer side edge portions, each of said plates having a transverse outwardly concave surface, clamping means projecting from the inner edge portion of each of said plates, blade positioning means on each of said plates, an outwardly and longitudinally extending ridge in each of said guard plates co-' acting with said clamping means to clamp a razor blade to said guard plates and impart a concave curvature thereto, a pair of handle elements, means pivotally connecting said handle elements, and means connecting one of said handle ele- 10 ments to one of said plates and the other of said handle elements to the other of said plates.

8. In a safety razor, guard plate means for a blade, said plate means having a transverse outwardly concave surface and outer edge portions having-a longitudinally extending outwardly convex curvature, and means securing said blade to said plates.

9. In a safety razor, a pair of complemental guard plates each having inner and outer side edge portions, each of said plates having a transverse outwardly concave surface, clamping means projecting from the inner edge portion of each of said plates, blade positioning means on each of said plates, a pair of handle elements, means pivotally connecting said handle elements, and means connecting one of said handle elements to one of said plates and the other of said handle elements to the other of said plates, the interior angle between the common axis of said handle elements in closed position and a plane passing through the outer side edge portions of said guard plates being an acute angle.

10. In a safety razor, guard plate means having longitudinally extending outwardly convex outer side edge portions and a transverse outwardly concave surface, a handle connected to said guard plate means, and means for securing a blade to said guard plate means, the interior angle between the axis of said handle and a plane passing through the outer side edge portions of said guard plate means being an acute angle.

1l. The structure set forth in claim 5 including an outwardly and longitudinally extending ridge in each of said guard plates coacting with said clamping means to clamp a razor blade to said guard plates and impart a concave curvature thereto.

HOWELL F. SHANNON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,821,825 Zumwalt Sept. l, 1931 2,182,825 Thompson Dec. 5, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 134,318 Great Britain Oct. 30, 1910 

